Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act

Senate Bill

S. 255

119th Congress

Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 24, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Dan Sullivan

Senator

Republican

AK

Cosponsors

1

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Native Americans

Summary

This bill protects Alaska Native artisans who incorporate migratory bird parts into traditional handicrafts. It clarifies that the Migratory Bird Treaty Act does not prohibit possessing, selling, or transporting authentic Alaska Native handicrafts containing nonedible bird parts, as long as the bird was legally and non-wastefully harvested.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

SponsorDan Sullivan (R-AK)

Introduced1/24/2025

StatusRead twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

ChamberSenate

Data from Congress.gov

See this page through your district lens

Enter ZIP to personalize representatives and vote context.

Stay on top of this issue

Subscribe for weekly bill and representative updates.

Vote Prediction

Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act

This bill protects Alaska Native artisans who incorporate migratory bird parts into traditional handicrafts. It clarifies that the Migratory Bird Treaty Act does not prohibit possessing, selling, or transporting authentic Alaska Native handicrafts containing n

Community Breakdown

Pass

0%

Fail

0%

0 predictions

This bill protects Alaska Native artisans who incorporate migratory bird parts into traditional handicrafts. It clarifies that the Migratory Bird Treaty Act does not prohibit possessing, selling, or transporting authentic Alaska Native handicrafts containing nonedible bird parts, as long as the bird was legally and non-wastefully harvested.

Bill Number: 255
Sponsor: Dan Sullivan (R-AK)
Introduced: 1/24/2025
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Policy Area: Native Americans

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act
Bill Number: 255
Sponsor: Dan Sullivan (R-AK)
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Introduced: 1/24/2025
Summary: This bill protects Alaska Native artisans who incorporate migratory bird parts into traditional handicrafts. It clarifies that the Migratory Bird Treaty Act does not prohibit possessing, selling, or transporting authentic Alaska Native handicrafts containing nonedible bird parts, as long as the bird

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill protects Alaska Native artisans who incorporate migratory bird parts into traditional handicrafts. It clarifies that the Migratory Bird Treaty Act does not prohibit possessing, selling, or transporting authentic Alaska Native handicrafts containing nonedible bird parts, as long as the bird was legally and non-wastefully harvested.

Last updated: 1/5/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment ActThis bill states that nothing in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA) prohibits possessing, selling, bartering, purchasing, shipping, or transporting any authentic Alaska Native handicraft, clothing, or art on the basis that it contains a nonedible migratory bird part, so long as the bird was not taken in a wasteful or illegal manner. (The MBTA implements four international treaties that the United States entered into with Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Russia. The MBTA prohibits the taking of protected migratory bird species without prior authorization.)The bill directs the Department of State to work with the Department of the Interior to enter into appropriate bilateral procedures with countries that are parties to the treaties under the MBTA to clarify the treatment of Alaska Native handicraft containing nonedible migratory bird parts from the species of migratory birds listed in those treaties. Further, Interior must modify any regulations implementing the MBTA to implement this bill.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Allows Alaska Natives to sell handicrafts containing migratory bird parts
Applies only to nonedible parts from legally harvested birds
Directs State Department to clarify treatment under international treaties
Requires Interior Department to update implementing regulations
Named after Archie Cavanaugh, honoring Alaska Native crafting traditions

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Alaska Native artisans would gain clear legal protection to continue traditional practices that incorporate bird feathers and parts into clothing, art, and handicrafts. This removes legal uncertainty that has discouraged some artists from selling their work commercially.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Native Americans

Related Subjects

Alaska Natives and Hawaiians

Birds

Historical and cultural resources

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

255, 119th Congress (2025). "Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-255